Plant Diversity in Western Ethiopia:

Ecology, Ethnobotany and Conservation

Tesfaye Awas

Dissertation presented for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy
2007

Department of Biology
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
University of Oslo
Norway
© Tesfaye Awas, 2007

Series of dissertations submitted to the

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo.
No. 631

ISSN 1501-7710
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PhD supervisors

Prof. Inger Nordal

University of Oslo, Department of Biology
P. O. Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway.
e-mail: [email protected]

Prof. Sebsebe Demissew

The National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University
P. O. Box 3434, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
e-mail: [email protected] and/or [email protected]
 Acknowledgments
Many individuals and institutions have contributed to the successful completion of this study.
Although the list is too long to exhaust, it is with great pleasure and gratitude that I
acknowledge the following:

I am very grateful to my supervisors Profs Inger Nordal and Sebsebe Demissew for their
consistent and stimulating advice, valuable suggestions, critical reading of the manuscripts and
continuous interest throughout the research period. I wish to express my sincere thanks to
Prof. Inger Nordal for her hospitality, in which I was welcomed to her home several times
including my family and for taking me out of Oslo to visit interesting sites. I also wish to
extend my sincere thanks to Prof. Sebsebe Demissew for patiently supervising me from the
M.Sc. level to the present Ph.D dissertation. I am grateful to Dr. Zemede Asfaw, Prof. Ib Friis,
Agnethe B. Salvesen, Christopher Herrmann, Dr. Odd Stabbetorp for co-authoring one or two
papers; to Dr. Girma Balcha, Dr. Kassahun Embaye and Dereje Tefera for provision of logistic
support during field work; to Negash Ashebir, Getachew Bekele, Kagenew Hilesilasie,
Tamene Sheleto, Raya Hunde, Yosef Lemessa, Melaku Wondafrash, Alibeshir Mohamed and
Awraris Zewde for their kind help during field work; to people who collaborated in giving
ethnobotanic information; to Dr. Ensermu Kelbessa, Dr. Paul Wilkin and Tamene Yohannes
for their kind assistance during identification of plant specimens; to Dr. Tamiru Alemayehu,
Kumelachew Yeshitela and Getachew Tesfaye for providing valuable literatures; to Aramde
Fetene, Dr. Emily N. Wabuyele, Abiyoit Birhanu and Aychew Adane for providing GIS data;
to Torben Kenea and Wendawek Abebe for assistance during the statistical analysis; to Dr.
Jørn Stave, Rebecca U. Chance, Feleke Weldeyes, Kebu Balami, Dr. Demel Teketay, Girma
Mengesha, and Negusse Tadesse for their comments on different papers included in this
thesis.

My sincere gratitude goes to my Sister Teje Asefa and my friends Worku Negash, Dr. Eshetu
Tesfaye, Faris Hailu, Alemayehu Asfaw, Mulugeta Kebede, Adane Asefa, Yafet Kassa and
Gezahegn Melese for their help in various ways during my study; to Tilahun Demisse, Amsale
Tadesse and Hiltework Habtegebreal for taking care of my family issues while I was on my
study.

I wish to express my appreciation and sincere thanks to my wife Senait Tadesse and our
daughters Fekrete and Bethlehem, for the love they offered me and the determination and
patience they showed whenever they missed me while I was concentrating on my study.

The studies reported in this thesis have been financially supported by institutions such as the
Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund, NUFU (project 53/03), the Institute of Biodiversity
Conservation/Ethiopia, the Research and Publications Office of Addis Ababa University and
the House of Federation of the Ethiopian Government and Ethio-Japanse project administered
by Institute of Ethiopian Studies of Addis Ababa University. I am grateful to all these
institutions.
Tesfaye Awas
Oslo, April 2007
 Table of Contents
Abstract....................................................................................................................................1
List of papers ...........................................................................................................................2
Introduction .............................................................................................................................3
Objectives ................................................................................................................................4
Materials and methods.............................................................................................................5
Vascular plant diversity .......................................................................................................5
Vegetation classification and ordination (Paper II).............................................................5
Escape of introduced ornamentals (Paper V) ......................................................................6
Ethnobotanical data collection (Paper VI and VII) .............................................................6
Data analysis........................................................................................................................7
Results and Discussion ............................................................................................................7
Vascular plant diversity .......................................................................................................7
Vegetation classification and ordination (Paper II).............................................................9
Escape of introduced ornamentals (Paper V) ....................................................................10
Ethnobotany of Berta and Gumuz People (Paper VI) .......................................................13
Ethnobotany of medicinal plants of Kafficho people (Paper VII).....................................13
Conclusions and Implications for Conservation....................................................................15
References .............................................................................................................................16
Appendix ...............................................................................................................................20
 Abstract
The aim of this thesis is to investigate the ecology and ethnobotany of vegetation in
Benishangul Gumuz Regional State (BGRS), western Ethiopia. The studies reported in this
thesis have confirmed the existence of 1102 vascular plant species in BGRS. The region has,
therefore, comparable vascular plant diversity to other floristic regions in Ethiopia. The study,
which was carried out using classification and ordination techniques, revealed the existence of
five plant comminutes and enabled to identify environmental variables that are structuring the
plant composition. These plant communities could be used in conservation planning in BGRS.
Potential threats to the vegetation were identified and found to increase with altitude. The
study on Tgetes patula has revealed that the species has several characters that might facilitate
invasiveness and may be considered as a threat to the natural landscapes in the absence of
woodland fire to which the vegetation in the region is adapted. The result of the ethnobotanical
study revealed that the people in BGRS and Kafa depend on diverse plant species which are
mainly collected from wild population (ca. 70%). Over harvesting of wild plants that give
immediate economic return, may increase the burden on wild plant populations. Such findings
give hints for prioritization of plant species for in-situ and ex-situ conservation. In conclusion,
this thesis has improved to the understanding of the imperfectly known vegetation in BGRS
and medicinal plants used by Kafficho people.

1
 List of papers
This thesis is based on the following papers which will be referred to in the text by their
Roman numerals.

I. Sebsebe Demissew, Nordal, I., Herrmann, C., Friis, I., Tesfaye Awas & Stabbetorp,
O. 2005. Diversity and endemism of the western Ethiopian escarpment – a
preliminary comparison with other areas of the Horn of Africa. Biol. Skr. 55: 315-
330.

II. Tesfaye Awas, Inger Nordal and Sebsebe Demissew. 2007. Plant communities in
woodland vegetation of Benishangul Gumuz Region, western Ethiopia. Submitted.

III. Tesfaye Awas & Inger Nordal. 2007. Benishangul Gumuz Region in Ethiopia: A
center of endemicity for Chlorophytum – with the description of C. pseudocaule sp.
nov. (Anthericaceae). Kew Bulletin. 62(2): in press.

IV. Tesfaye Awas, Sebsebe Demissew, Inger Nordal and Ib Friis. 2007. New plant
records for the Ethiopian flora from Benishangul Gumuz Region, western Ethiopia.
Submitted.

V. Agnethe B. Salvesen, Tesfaye Awas and Inger Nordal. 2007. Escape of introduced
ornamentals in Asteraceae - with main focus on Tagetes patula L. in western
Ethiopia. Submitted.

VI. Tesfaye Awas, Zemede Asfaw, Inger Nordal and Sebsebe Demisew. 2007.
Ethnobotany of Berta and Gumuz People in western Ethiopia. Submitted.

VII. Tesfaye Awas and Sebsebe Demissew. 2007. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal
plants in Kafficho people, southwestern Ethiopia. Submitted.

2
 Introduction
Ethiopia’s boundaries encompass the major part of the eastern African highland massif. On the
northern and western boundaries lie the foothills of the main massif. The Great Rift Valley
cuts diagonally across the country from north east to south, creating a vast depression. The dry
areas have isolated the highlands. Thus, there is great variation of altitude from 116 meters
below sea level to 4620 meters above sea level. Rainfall also varies widely in amount and
distribution. These factors strongly influence Ethiopia’s extraordinary range of terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems, and have contributed to a high diversity and rate of endemism (Tesfaye
Awas et al. 2003). The existence of such diverse ecosystems has endowed Ethiopia with
diverse vegetation types.
Ethiopia being the land where the first humans have evolved, its vegetation has been
exposed to various human induced impacts that have diminished its diversity for a longer
period than anywhere else. The attention given to vegetation conservation and sustainable use
has so far been inadequate. Some of the current contributory factors to accelerated decline of
vegetation are: the size and pattern of the distribution of human and domestic animal
populations, the level of resource consumption, market factors and policies. Under-valuation
of vegetation conservation due to low-level of awareness about the rate at which it is
deteriorated or lost and poor regard to the conservation problems have also contributed to
under-investment in proper vegetation management.
The present vegetation of Ethiopia is physiognomically divided in to nine major
vegetation types: 1) Desert and semi-desert scrubland; 2) Lowland (semi-) evergreen forest; 3)
Acacia-Commiphora small- leaved, deciduous woodland; 4) Combretum-Terminalia broad-
leaved deciduous woodland and savanna; 5) Evergreen scrub; 6) Moist evergreen montane
forest / Afromontane rainforest; 7) Dry evergreen and montane forest and grassland; 8) Afro-
alpine and subafroalpine zone; and 9. Riparian/riverine and swamp vegetation (Friis, 1992;
Sebsebe Demissew et al. 1996; Conservation Strategy of Ethiopia, 1997; Friis and Sebsebe
Demissew, 2001). This thesis focuses on the aspects of plant diversity, ecology and
ethnobotany of vegetation type 4 and 9, particularly its part in Benishangul Regional State
(BGRS), western Ethiopia. In addition, the study on the ethnobotany of medicinal plants of
Kafficho, who are the dwellers of vegetation type 6, is included. Vegetation type 6 was also
originally found in BGRS in areas above 1900m, though it is now completely lost and is

3
represented only by remnant trees that indicate that the area was once covered by Moist
evergreen montane forest.
Vegetation type 9 consists of at least two physiognomically different vegetation types,
riverine/riparian forest, and open, almost treeless vegetation. The riverine and riparian forest
and Combretum-Terminalia broad-leaved deciduous woodland and savanna in western
Ethiopian were named by White (1983) as undifferentiated woodlands (Ethiopian type). Based
on the floristic study made on the part of this woodland vegetation that occurs in Gambella
Regional State in southwestern Ethiopia, five plant communities were recognized (Tesfaye
Awas et al. 2001). They are Commelina zambesica-Hygrophila auriculata, Sorghum
purpureo-sericeum-Pennisetum thunbergii, Loudetia arundinacea-Hyparrhenia pilgeriana,
Combretum adenogonium-Anogeissus leiocarpa and Tamarindus indica-Anogeissus leiocarpa
communities. The plant communities of the woodland vegetation in BGRS were not studied and
there is a gap of information.
The woodland vegetation in western Ethiopia provides many resources to the
inhabitants. Mengistu Wube (1995), Tesfaye Awas et al. (1997a), had studied and compiled
information on the indigenous plant uses by Anywaa, Majangir and Nuer people in Gambella
Regional State. Berta and Gumuz inhabited areas in the BGRS has never been studied. These
studies had indicated the dependence of the people on this vegetation type for food, medicine
and other uses.

Objectives
Recent botanical expeditions to the woodland vegetation in BGRS have come up with several
new plant records that are either new to science (Nordal and Sebsebe Demissew 2002) or new
for the Ethiopian flora (Edwards et al. 2000; Cribb et al. 2002). The Ethiopian Government
has recognized this area as suitable for both rain fed and irrigated agriculture, which should be
urgently developed through implementation of integrated development plans (Ministry of
Information 2001). So far there is no area designated for any kind of conservation in BGRS.
Conservationists are concerned that the new development plans may disrupt the ecosystem in
general and the interaction of local people with indigenous plants in particular. Thus, there is
an urgent need for information for conservation planning, sustainable biodiversity utilization

4
and environmentally sound decision-making as part of integrated economic development
program in the region. This study was, therefore, initiated to generate data for plant diversity
conservation planning and sustainable development of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State in
western Ethiopia. Some specific objectives include:
¾ To identify the plant communities that could be used as biodiversity surrogates for
conservation of woodland vegetation in BGRS.
¾ To identify the most important environmental gradients structuring the plant
communities in the region.
¾ To document ethnobotanical knowledge of Berta and Gumuz, the two dominant socio-
cultural groups in BGRS.
¾ To compile a checklist of all plants in BGRS.
¾ To investigate ecological and biological factors that facilitated the invasion of
woodland vegetation in BGRS by Tgetes patula
¾ To document medicinal plants used by Kafficho people, southwestern Ethiopia

Materials and methods

Vascular plant diversity
The number of vascular plant species in BGRS reported in Paper I was based on the list
compiled from Cribb et al. (2002), Nordal and Sebsebe Demissew (2002), Sebsebe Demissew
et al. (2003) and published Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea (Hedberg and Edwards (1989),
Phillips (1995), Edwards et al. (1995, 1997 and 2000), Hedberg et al. (2003 and (2006) and
Mesfin Tadesse (2004). The list was further updated in this thesis based on recent studies
(Paper II, III, IV, V and VI; Chance 2006; Friis and Vollesen 2007).

Vegetation classification and ordination (Paper II)

A systematic sampling method was used to select homogenous vegetation stands along an
altitudinal gradient on both sides of Blue Nile River. In all stands, the cover/abundance data of
all flowering plants in relevés were recorded following the Braun-Blanquet approach (Braun-
Blanquet 1965; Muller-Dombois and Ellenberg 1974). A total of 61 relevés were sampled
using a square plot of 400 m2 (20 m by 20 m). The percentage cover/abundance values were

5
transformed to a scale of ordinal transform values from 1 to 9 (van der Maarel 2005). Human
impacts on the vegetation were also estimated subjectively on ordinal scales from zero to
three. Environmental data on topographic and soil factors were gathered for each relevé. GPS
was used to record the position (latitude and longitude) of each relevé. Everest Altimeter and
GPS were used to measure altitude. Soil samples were collected from each relevé and analyzed
by the National Soil Research Laboratory in Ethiopia.

Escape of introduced ornamentals (Paper V)

Vegetation stands that have been invaded by T. patula were found in Bulen, Dibatie and
Mandura districts of BGRS. In each district, one site was selected and people were
interviewed about the positive and negative impacts of T. patula on their life, when it arrived,
if it was of any use, if it was eaten by animals, if it was actively or passively spread. The
percentage cover of all plants associated with T. patula in 2m X 2m quadrat was recorded to
investigate ecological preference of the species. The number of seed produced by T. patula
was counted. The diaspores of T. patula, another escaped ornamental - Zinnia elegans and
indigenous species - Bidens prestinaria were collected from ripe inflorescences for fire
treatment experiments which was carried out at the University of Oslo. The later two species
were included for comparison. Soils samples were collected to investigate weather T. patula
and B. prestinaria survive in the soil seed bank.

Ethnobotanical data collection (Paper VI and VII)

The data collections have been conducted in two phases. In the first phase, pre-prepared semi-
structured interview items were administered with extended discussion with informants. The
local names of plants and use were recorded on the spot when informants reach to consensus.
In the second phase, the plants were identified and their botanical names were listed along
their respective local names. This list was used in preparing format for structured interview.
The houses in each village were numbered starting from one corner and selected using random
numbers for interview.

6
Data analysis
The cover/abundance data was analyzed using a FORTRAN Computer Program TWINSPAN,
TWo-way INdicator SPecies ANalysis, Version 1.0 (Hill 1994). Detrended Correspondence
Analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) were run to analyze patterns
of variation in the species composition by using the computer program data package
CANOCO version 4.5 (ter Braak and Smilauer 2002). One Way ANOVA statistics was used
to find out if there were significant differences in seed germination fractions in the heat
treatments. Ethnobotanic data was analyzed using multivariate computer program PAST
(Ryan et al., 1995).

Results and Discussion

Vascular plant diversity
The occurrence of 956 vascular plant species in BGRS was reported in Paper I. Based on this
figure, the total number of vascular plants in BGRS was estimated to be between 1040 and
1180 species. Subsequent studies in BGRS have come up with verification of the occurrence
of additional 147 plant species (Paper II, III, IV, V and VI; Chance 2006; Friis and Vollesen
2007). Among these, seven species were new to the Flora of Ethiopia (Paper IV and Friis and
Vollesen 2007) while one species was new to science (Paper III). These studies have
increased the total number vascular plants known in the woodland vegetation of western
Ethiopia to 1102 species. The number of endemic species reported in Paper I was also
increased by one, i.e. from 27 to 28 (Paper III).
The vascular plants in BGRS are mainly flowering plants where dicots and monocots
accounted for about 70% and 29%, respectively (Table 1). The lower vascular plants
(lycopodiophyta) were represented by one species - Selaginella kraussiana (Kze.) A. Br.
(Selaginellaceae). Ferns (Polypodiophyta) were also represented by one species - Nephrolepis
undulata (Sw.) J. Sm. (Oleandraceae).
The vascular plant species in the woodland vegetation of western Ethiopia were
represented by about 117 families. About 10 families that contain more than 20 species and
their ratio to the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea were given in Table 2. About 13 families

7
contain 10 to 19 species, 65 families with two to nine species and 24 families were with one
species each. Family Poaceae and Fabaceae were with the highest number of genera, 46 and
44, respectively (Table 2). About 10 families contain more than 11 genera, 57 families from
two to 10 genera and 50 families were represented by a single genus. Thus, a total of 474
genera were represented where 10 genera contain more than 10 species (Table 3), 177 genera
containing two to nine species and 287 genera were represented by one species each.
The woodland vegetation of western Ethiopia is characterized by small to moderately
sized trees, herbs, grasses and sedges (Figure 1). The ground cover is dominated by
herbaceous geophytes at the beginning of rainy season (May and June). Toward the end of the
rainy season (September to November) tall strata of perennial grasses become dominant.

Table 1. Taxonomic diversity of vascular plants in BGRS, western Ethiopia.

Class Family Genera Species

Dicots 92 363 776
Monocots 23 109 324
Ferns 1 1 1
Lycopods 1 1 1
Total 117 474 1102

Table 2. Families of flowering plants with more than 20 plant species in BGRS, western
Ethiopia.

No. of genera No. of species No. of species in Flora

S. No. Family in BGRS in BGRS of Ethiopia & Eritrea %
1 Asteraceae 27 48 440 10.91
2 Convolvulaceae 10 32 132 24.24
3 Cyperaceae 12 75 185 40.54
4 Euphorbiaceae 17 39 209 18.66
5 Fabaceae 44 159 607 26.19
6 Malvaceae 9 30 139 21.58
7 Orchidaceae 14 50 154 32.47
8 Poaceae 46 117 580 20.17
9 Rubiaceae 30 49 101 48.51
10 Tiliaceae 3 21 47 44.68

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Table 3. Genera of flowering plants containing more than 10 species in BGRS, western
Ethiopia.

S. No. Genera Family No. of Species

1 Cyperus Cyperaceae 46
2 Crotalaria Fabaceae 26
3 Indigofera Fabaceae 21
4 Habenaria Orchidaceae 16
5 Ipomoea Convolvulaceae 16
6 Acacia Fabaceae 14
7 Chlorophytum Anthericaceae 13
8 Eulophia Orchidaceae 13
9 Hibiscus Malvaceae 12
10 Hyparrhenia Poaceae 11

Tree Climber
8% 8%
Shrub Grass
15% 11%

Sedge
7%

Herb
51%

Figure 1. Proportion of life form classes of vascular plants in BGRS, western Ethiopia.

Vegetation classification and ordination (Paper II)

The woodland vegetation in BGRS was classified into five plant communities: (1) Hyphaene
thebaica-Pterocarpus lucens, (2) Boswellia papyrifera-Pterocarpus lucens (Figure 2), (3)
Securidaca longepedunculata-Albizia malacophylla (Figure 3), (4) Croton macrostachyus-
Albizia malacophylla and (5) Breonadia salicina-Phoenix reclinata. The distribution of plants
recorded in this study extends from Ethiopia to Senegal in the western Africa and to

9
Mozambique in the southeastern and Angola in the southwestern Africa. Of 232 species
sampled in this study, 19% were shared with flora of Zambeziaca in southern Africa, 18%
with flora of Tropical West Africa and 37% with both. The rest 26% of the species were
restricted to Eastern African Flora, of which 13 species are endemic. Thus, the plant
comminutes in BGRS are composed of plant species assemblages that have been formed by
overlap of three phytogeographical regions in Africa; Afromontane, Sudanian and Zambezian
regions.
Ordination identified two main gradients that are structuring the woodland vegetation
in BGRS. The first gradient is long (4.235 S.D. units) and separated the dry woodland at lower
altitude in one end and the riparian woodlands at higher altitudes in the other end. Among 26
environmental variables measured, five of them were significant (at P<0.05) in explaining
variation in the species composition along the first gradient. The second gradient separated the
plant communities at higher altitudes, where the Securidaca longepedunculata dominated
woodland was in one end and Croton macrostachyus dominated woodland in the other end.
Potassium was the only environmental variable which was found significant (at P<0.05) in
explaining variation in the species composition along the second gradient. In general, altitude
was found to be the most important environmental gradient to which other variables were
correlated either positively or negatively.

Escape of introduced ornamentals (Paper V)

Discussion made with local people in areas where T. patula was found as escape revealed that
so far there is no negative impact on their daily life, except for a minimum of weeding in farm
lands. In the species association analysis, T. patula was mainly found in semi-natural
woodland vegetation (Figure 4) which was characterized by trees and also species that
demands some shade and moisture (Edwards et al. 1995, 1997 and 2000; Hedberg and
Edwards 1989; Phillips 1995; Hedberg et al. 2003 and 2006; Mesfin Tadesse 2004). It was
less frequent in open and drier habitat types.

10
Figure 2. Boswellia papyrifera-Pterocarpus lucens community in woodland vegetation of
BGRS, western Ethiopia (Photo: Tesfaye Awas July 2004, 83 km along the road from Asosa
to Kurmuk).

Figure 3. Securidaca longepedunculata-Albizia malacophylla community in woodland

vegetation of BGRS, western Ethiopia (Photo: Tesfaye Awas July 2004, 22 km along the road
from Asosa to Kurmuk).

11
 The study on some biological characters of T. patula revealed that the species has
several characters that might facilitate invasiveness. It produces a large number of relatively
small diaspores, has a seed bank and grazing/trampling stimulates growth of side shoots. It is
well known that most invasive plants turning weedy, share these characters (Grime 1979).
The result of fire treatment experiment revealed that the diaspores of Bidens
prestinaria were not affected by the different heat treatments. Being an indigenous species in
fire prone area, B. prestinaria might have been adapted to woodland fire regimes through
evolution. Zinnia elegans showed a higher germination frequency except the highest
temperature treatment. This suggests that Z. elegans diaspores have a higher fire resistance,
which might be connected to the fact that it has thick cypsela wall. The diaspores of T. patula
were not affected by fire, unless the heat becomes excessive. Based on these findings, the
pristine woodlands, which are adapted to fire, may not be at risk of invasion.

Figure 4. Escape population of Tagetes patula in semi-natural woodland vegetation of BGRS,

western Ethiopia (Photo: Agnethe B. Salvesen October 2005, 82 km along the rod from
Chagni to Wembera).

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Ethnobotany of Berta and Gumuz People (Paper VI)
A total of 185 plant species that are used in the daily life of Berta and Gumuz people have
been recorded. About 30% of these plants are cultivated while 70% were collected from the
wild. Two species (Dioscorea bulbifera and Ricinus communis) were found both in cultivation
and in the wild. There are also three more plants, Abelmoschus ficulneus (Figure 5), Hibiscus
cannabinus and Corchorus olitorius, which are very common in the wild stand but also
tolerated in farmlands and homegardens. These plant species represent the wild-semi-wild-
domesticated continuum of wild edibles of Ethiopia as described by Zemede Asfaw and
Mesfin Tadesse (2001).
Berta and Gumuz have very few plant names in common (see appendix I, which is
extracted from Paper VI to make easy identification of plants while working with Berta and
Gumuz people). They share the local name of very few introduced plants and only one
indigenous tree – Boswellia papyrifera. Both Berta and Gumuz follow similar pattern of plant
naming, where they refer to color, habitat, origin of germplasm in the case of cultivated plants
and relationship among plants. Plant naming and use were found to be more localized to
districts among Gumuz than Berta people. Both among Berta and Gumuz the elderly person
knows a higher number of plants used for commercial purpose, construction, fuel wood and
medicine. Youngsters know more food plants. There is a negative relationship between the
educational level of informants and their ethnobotanic knowledge, where those people who go
to school know less number of useful plants.

Ethnobotany of medicinal plants of Kafficho people (Paper VII)

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Kafficho people was carried out in Kafa
zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Regional States in Southwestern Ethiopia.
Informants were asked to rank medicinal plants used to cure a specific disease. A total of 124
medicinal plants were identified. Medicinal plant use among Kafficho is localized and
dependent on plants that are found around them. The ethnobotanical knowledge on medicinal
plants also varies among various social groups. Kafficho people obtain a significant proportion
of their medicinal plants from the wild (about 74%) and only cultivate a few selected species
(about 26%) in the Ensete ventricosum dominated homegarden (Figure 6).

13
Figure 5. Abelmoschus ficulneus under domestication in BGRS, western Ethiopia (Photo:
Tesfaye Awas October 2005, Guba).

The medicinal plants are always cultivated on the upper slope of the homegarden,
specifically behind the house. Kafficho people give four reasons for this: to prevent
contamination by discharge of animal waste in the lower slope of their house, protection from
livestock and to grow them out of human sight. The latter is related to traditional belief. The
fourth reason is related to plant nutrition and the consequent plant performance. If medicinal
plants are grown in homegarden quarters with high soil nutrient, they grow faster, complete
their life cycle within a relatively shorter period and then die – a situation not appreciated by
farmers. Instead, the farmers want the medicinal plants to remain longer in their gardens so as
to ensure a prolonged harvest, and they achieve this by maintaining the plants under stressed
conditions that subdue plant growth.
Kafficho people name medicinal plants by using the disease treated followed by ‘ato’.
The plant naming system is mainly at species level. Medicinal plant use among Kafficho is
site specific where people living close to forest depend on trees. There was also difference in
medicinal plant knowledge between women and men of Kafficho people where, women know
more about medicinal plants cultivated in homegarden. The older person knows high number
of medicinal plants than youngsters.

14
 The forest vegetation in Kafa zone was relatively intact a few decades ago, but recently
faced heavy pressure from human activities (Kumelachew Yeshitela and Tamrat Bekele 2002;
Kumelachew Yeshitela and Taye Bekele 2003). With the present ecological and socio-
economical changes, medicinal plants together with the associated ethnobotanical knowledge
of Kafficho are under serious threat and may be lost faster than imagined. Under such
circumstances the use of plants for medicinal purposes will also decline and consequently the
once effective traditional health care system will also be lost. Some ways to conserve the
medicinal plants and associated knowledge were recommended in Paper VII.

Figure 6. Ensete ventricosum dominated homegarden of Kafficho people in southwestern

Ethiopia (Photo: Tesfaye Awas June 2004, 8 km along the rod from Wacha to Bonga).

Conclusions and Implications for Conservation

Relatively, the woodland vegetation in western Ethiopia is still perhaps the least affected of all
vegetation types in Ethiopia. However, the increasing population pressure leads to an
increasing demand for agricultural land and plant products, thus forcing the people to clear
woodlands for settlement and expansion of farmlands. In particular, the resettlement program
that was undertaken in 1984 and the influx of refugees from Southern Sudan have lead to the
sharp increase in human population, thus triggering the encroachment pressure on vegetation

15
in BGRS. In general the threat on woodland vegetation in BGRS was found to increase with
altitude, which was the most important environmental gradient in structuring vegetation in the
region. Beside the existing pressure, implementation of other new development activities
(Ministry of Information 2001), without conservation will lead to significant loss of
vegetation. Establishment of conservation sites in the region is necessary to mitigate
developments that may disrupt plant assemblage formed by the overlap of three big
phytogeographical regions in Africa. Assemblage of sessile biota like the plant communities
reflect the patterns in the underlying ecological process that are very important for
management, and they are therefore, very important for prioritizing conservation activities. In
areas like BGRS where the ecological processes are complex and poorly understood,
conservation targeted to plant communities is the most recommended option. Under such
situation, the findings reported in this thesis are very important basis for initiation of
conservation in BGRS. The plant communities identified in Paper II could be used as
biodiversity surrogates for conservation planning. In such process the involvement of local
people is curial as they are the key generators, custodians and promoters of local biodiversity.
The findings reported in Paper VI showed the dependence of indigenous people on diverse
plants around them. In this regard, the list of plant local names along with the corresponding
Latin is valuable tool for professionals to communicate with local people about the plants in
BGRS. Similarly, the findings reported in Paper III along with the list of medicinal plants are
valuable for communication with Kafficho people. It is hoped that this thesis will contribute to
the efforts towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the study sites in
particular and Ethiopia in general.

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19
Appendix

Appendix I.Local names of plants used by Berta and Gumuz people in Benishangul Gumuz
Regional State, western Ethiopia.
Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)
Abanga (Berta) Cordia africana Lam. (Boraginaceae)
Abegeru (Berta; B,H,S) Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. (Araceae)*
Abegeru (Berta; B,H,S) Xanthosoma sagittifolium ( L. ) Schott (Araceae)*

Abendu (Berta) Andropogon schirensis Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Poaceae)

Abershewa (Gumuz; K) Celosia trigyna L. (Amaranthaceae)
Abombuqo (Berta) Strychnos innocua Del. (Loganiaceae)
Aburmereree (Berta; S) Bidens prestinaria (Sch. Bip.) Cufod. (Asteraceae)

Achegua (Gumuz; D,G,M) Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman (Musaceae)**

Achiquwa (Gumuz; G) Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R. Br. (Lamiaceae)

Adegella (Berta) Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonaceae)
Ades (Berta) Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (Fabaceae)*
Adihun (Berta) Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. (Poaceae)*
Adimish (Berta) Lagenaria sp. (Cucurbitaceae)*
Adundurutse (Berta) Solanum dasyphyllum Schum. & Thonn. (Solanaceae)
Adundurutse (Berta) Solanum incanum L. (Solanaceae)
Aebosiya (Gumuz; K) Solanum alatum Moench. (Solanaceae)
Afud (Berta) Lonchocarpus laxiflorus Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae)
Agamo (Berta; B,H,S) Phragmites karka (Retz.) Steud. (Poaceae)
Agembang (Berta) Corchorus olitorius L. (Tiliaceae)**

Ageraa (Berta) Combretum molle R. Br. ex G. Don (Combretaceae)

Agero (Berta) Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell (Celastraceae)
Agnagnsheqe (Berta; B,H,S) Flacourtia indica (Burm.f.) Merr. (Flacourtiaceae)
Agolgolo (Berta) Boswellia papyrifera (Del.) Hochst. (Burseraceae)
Agu (Berta; B,H,S) Cucurbita pepo L. (Cucurbitaceae)*
Agungulees (Berta) Adansonia digitata L. (Bombacaceae)
Aguqasi (Berta) Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. (Cucurbitaceae)*
Ajenzebil (Berta) Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae)*
Akala (Gumuz; K) Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. (Fabaceae)*

20
Appendix I. Continued…

Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)

Akomkom (Berta; H) Indigofera garckeana Vatake. (Fabaceae)
Albabaya (Berta) Carica papaya L. (Caricacae)*
Albafra (Berta; K,S) Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae)*
Albun (Berta) Coffea arabica L. (Rubiaceae)*
Alful (Berta) Arachis hypogaea L. (Fabaceae)*
Alilintsewa (Berta; H) Aframomum alboviolaceum (Ridl.) K. Schum. (Zingiberaceae)

Alkola (Gumuz; G) Senna obtusifolia (L.) Irwin & Barneby (Fabaceae)

Almoz (Berta) Musa x paradisiaca L. (Musaceae)*
Ambenattur (Berta) Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. (Solanaceae)*

Amberta (Gumuz; G) Andropogon schirensis Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Poaceae)

Amblish (Berta; B,H,S) Erythrina abyssinica Schweinf. (Fabaceae)
Amhorson (Berta) Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (Rhamnacae)
Amhulee (Berta) Zea mays L. (Poaceae)*
Amroro (Berta) Pterocarpus lucens Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae)
Andamenu (Berta; B,H,S) Ficus ovata Vahl (Moraceae)
Andegila (Gumuz; D,G,K) Stereospermum kunthianum Cham. (Bignoniaceae)
Andeha (Gumuz) Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. (Malvaceae)*
Andeha Yiza (Gumuz; Abelmoschus ficulneus (L.) Wight & Arn. (Malvaceae)**
D,G,M)
Anderkukuwa (Gumuz; G) Strychnos spinosa Lam. (Loganiaceae)
Hyparrhenia anthistirioides(Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf
Andidekuwa (Gumuz; M) (Poaceae)
Andidiha (Gumuz; K,M) Ochna leucophloeos Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Ochnaceae)
Andowa (Gumuz; D,M) Sarcocephalus latifolius (J. E. Smith) E. A. Bruce. (Rubiaceae)
Andukhabiya (Gumuz; M) Strychnos spinosa Lam. (Loganiaceae)

Angeled (Berta; B) Clerodendrum alatum Güerke (Verbenaceae)

Angesho (Berta; B,H,S) Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R. Br. (Lamiaceae)

Anguga (Gumuz; D,G,M) Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Rhamnacae)

Ankerphapha (Gumuz; M) Hibiscus cannabinus L. (Malvaceae)**
Ansisiwa (Gumuz; D,M) Albizia malacophylla (A. Rich.) Walp. (Fabaceae)
Antsiqina (Gumuz) Ampelocissus schimperiana (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Planch.
(Vitaceae)

21
Appendix I. Continued…

Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)

Antsiqina Guanja (Gumuz; Cissus cornifolia (Bak.) Planch. (Vitaceae)
D,G)
Antutiya (Gumuz; G) Solanum alatum Moench. (Solanaceae)
Anzum (Berta) Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. subsp macrocarpa
(Myrtaceae)
Aqenda (Berta) Gardenia ternifolia Schum. & Thonn. (Rubiaceae)
Aqulqa (Berta; B,H) Stereospermum kunthianum Cham. (Bignoniaceae)
Aranguawaya (Gumuz; D,M) Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae)*
Arenguya (Gumuz; G) Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae)*
Arezruzu (Berta; H,S) Cleome gynandra L. (Capparidaceae)

Asandiya (Gumuz; D) Acacia seyal Del. (Fabaceae)

Ashada Bugudo (Berta) Dioscorea dumetorum (Kunth) Pax (Dioscoreaceae)

Ashetta (Berta) Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae)*
Ashihur (Berta) Terminalia laxiflora Engl. & Diels (Combretaceae)
Ashumshumar (Berta) Anethum graveolens L. (Apiaceae)*

Aterash (Berta; S) Cassia arereh Del. (Fabaceae)

Athehol (Berta; B,H,S) Coriandrum sativum L. (Apiaceae)*
Atsegeda (Berta; S) Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb.) Bunge (Tamaricaceae)
Atsisa (Gumuz) Oncoba spinosa Forssk. (Flacourtiaceae)
Atsoda (Berta) Vitex doniana Sweet. (Verbenaceae)

Atteettee (Berta; B,H,K) Faurea speciosa Welw. (Proteaceae)

Attettashza (D,M) Vernonia hochstetteri Sch.-Bip. (Asteraceae)
Awushenshe (Berta; B) Bidens prestinaria (Sch. Bip.) Cufod. (Asteraceae)
Babegoha (Gumuz; G) Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae)

Babenga (Gumuz; G) Hyphaene thebaica (L.) Mart. (Arecaceae)

Bafuchochuwa (Gumuz; K) Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. J. Roem. (Cucurbitaceae)*
Bafukacha (Gumuz; K) Zea mays L. (Poaceae)*
Baga (Gumuz; G,K) Brassica carinata A. Br. (Brassicaceae)*
Bambaya (Gumuz; G,M) Ipomoea batatas L. (Convolvulaceae)*
Bambee (Berta) Ipomoea batatas L. (Convolvulaceae)*
Bambeluwa (G) Entada africana Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae)
Bambutta (Gumuz) Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonaceae)

22
Appendix I. Continued…

Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)

Banja (Gumuz) Cordia africana Lam. (Boraginaceae)
Banjazaka (Gumuz; M) Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. subsp guineense (Myrtaceae)

Banshzegona (Gumuz; G) Wissadula rostrata (Schum. & Thonn.) Hook.f. (Malvaceae)

Bebdaja (Gumuz; G) Tragia doryodes M. Gilbert (Euphorbiaceae)

Beda (Gumuz) Momordica foetida Schum. (Cucurbitaceae)
Bedanjila (Gumuz; M) Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. (Solanaceae)*
Beella (Gumuz; K) Portulaca sp. (Portulacaceae)*
Beewa (Gumuz) Lonchocarpus laxiflorus Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae)

Begene (Berta; S) Pennisetum unisetum (Nees) Benth. (Poaceae)

Begiya (Gumuz; D,G,M) Strychnos innocua Del. (Loganiaceae)

Begngira (Gumuz; G) Pennisetum schweinfurthii Pilg. (Poaceae)

Beguha (Gumuz; M) Terminalia laxiflora Engl. & Diels (Combretaceae)
Beguha (Gumuz; M) Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae)
Beguwa (Gumuz; K) Terminalia laxiflora Engl. & Diels (Combretaceae)
Bekiya (Gumuz; K) Sarcocephalus latifolius (J. E. Smith) E. A. Bruce. (Rubiaceae)
Bembeda (Gumuz; G) Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell (Celastraceae)
Benjer (Berta; B,H,S) Beta vulgaris L. (Chenopodiaceae)*
Berantutia (Gumuz; K) Physalis peruviana L. (Solanaceae)
Berendula (Gumuz; G,K) Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. (Solanaceae)*
Besheella (Gumuz; K) Anethum graveolens L. (Apiaceae)*
Beshuwe (Berta; B,H) Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae)*
Betita (Gumuz; G) Portulaca sp. (Portulacaceae)*
Bibi (Berta) Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae)
Hyparrhenia anthistirioides(Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf
Bidigua (Gumuz; G) (Poaceae)
Biilga (Gumuz) Lannea welwitschii (Hiern) Engl. (Anacardiaceae)
Bilga (Gumuz; G) Lannea fruticosa (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae)
Bilia Beegneni (Berta) Allium cepa L. (Alliaceae)*
Bilia Fudi (Berta) Allium sativum L. (Alliaceae)*
Bilza (Gumuz; G) Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass (Asteraceae)*
Birbira (Gumuz; D) Capsicum frutescens L. (Solanaceae)*
Bisa (Gumuz; D,M) Cymbopogon caesius (Hook. & Arn.) Stapf. (Poaceae)

23
Appendix I. Continued…

Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)

Bishqor (Berta) Saba comorensis (Boj.) Pichon (Apocynaceae)
Biyangua (Gumuz) Ocimum canum Sims. (Lamiaceae)
Bogonda (Gumuz; G) Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae)*
Bogonda (Gumuz; G) Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae)**

Bohzikuna (Gumuz; D,M) Wissadula rostrata (Schum. & Thonn.) Hook.f. (Malvaceae)
Boqa (Gumuz; D,G,M) Dioscorea cayenensis Lam. (Dioscoreaceae)*
Bora (Gumuz; G) Terminalia laxiflora Engl. & Diels (Combretaceae)
Bosiya (Gumuz; D,M) Solanum alatum Moench. (Solanaceae)
Bululitu (Berta; B,H) Linum usitatissimum L. (Linaceae)*
Bulummtsee (Berta; B,H,S) Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. subsp guineense (Myrtaceae)
Chaya (Gumuz; D,G,M) Pterocarpus lucens Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae)
Chelatiya (Gumuz; D,M) Ruta chalepensis L. (Rutaceae)*
Chicha (Gumuz; K) Strychnos spinosa Lam. (Loganiaceae)

Chicha (Gumuz; K) Acacia hecatophylla Steud. ex A. Rich. (Fabaceae)

Chicha (Gumuz; K) Acacia polyacantha Willd. (Fabaceae)

Chicha (Gumuz; K) Acacia seyal Del. (Fabaceae)

Chichariya (Gumuz; K) Amaranthus spinosus L. (Amaranthaceae)

Chintta (Gumuz; D,K,M) Linum usitatissimum L. (Linaceae)*

Dadiha (Gumuz; D,M) Acanthus polystachyus Del. (Acanthaceae)

Degig (Berta; B,H) Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae)*
Derguya (Gumuz; K,M) Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Andress. (Acanthaceae)
Dhafa (Gumuz; D,K,M) Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter (Poaceae)*
Dheberi (Berta) Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae)*
Dheberimugu (Berta; H,S) Vigna membranacea A. Rich. (Fabaceae)
Digle (Berta) Breonadia salicina (Vahl) Heppehr & Wood (Rubiaceae)
Dijiha (Gumuz; D,G,K) Breonadia salicina (Vahl) Heppehr & Wood (Rubiaceae)
Dirtsegn (Berta) Entada africana Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae)
Diwa (Gumuz; D,G,K) Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. subsp guineense (Myrtaceae)
Dhoga (Gumuz; G,M) Tamarindus indica L. (Fabaceae)

24
Appendix I. Continued…

Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)

Donga (Gumuz; D) Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.) Milne-Redh. (Fabaceae)
Dur (Berta; B,H,S) Borassus aethiopum Mart. (Arecaceae)

Ebeya (Gumuz; D,M) Ficus sur Forssk. (Moraceae)

Ebicha (K) Vernonia hochstetteri Sch.-Bip. (Asteraceae)

Eboba (Gumuz; D,G,M) Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton (Poaceae)

Echa (Gumuz) Dioscorea praehensilis Benth. (Dioscoreaceae)
Edeeduwa (Gumuz; K) Protea gaguedi J. F. Gmel. (Proteaceae)
Edimba (Gumuz; K) Lannea fruticosa (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae)
Egaguwa (Gumuz; D) Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae)*
Vernonia theophrastifolia Schweinf. ex Oliv. & Hiern
Egidima (Gumuz; D,K,M) (Asteraceae)
Egile (Gumuz; M) Bidens prestinaria (Sch. Bip.) Cufod. (Asteraceae)
Eimplametsumu (Berta; B) Aframomum alboviolaceum (Ridl.) K. Schum. (Zingiberaceae)

Ejegaha (Gumuz; D) Hibiscus corymbosus A. Rich. (Malvaceae)

Ejekuya (Gumuz; D,M) Physalis peruviana L. (Solanaceae)
Ejesiya (Gumuz) Dombeya torrida (J. F. Gmel.) P. Bamps (Sterculiaceae)
Ejisiya (Gumuz; G) Physalis peruviana L. (Solanaceae)
Ozoroa pulcherrima (Schweinf.) R. & A. Fernand.
Ejimbaya (Gumuz; D,K,M) (Anacardiaceae)
Ejjiga (Gumuz; D,K,M) Bridelia scleroneura Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae)

Elangiya (Gumuz; D,G, K) Justicia ladanoides Lam. (Acanthaceae)

Eliya (Gumuz) Asparagus flagellaris (Kunth) Baker (Asparagaceae)
Emandeela (Gumuz; D,K) Ipomoea batatas L. (Convolvulaceae)*
Embawuza (Gumuz; M) Capsicum frutescens L. (Solanaceae)*

Engifa (Gumuz; G) Combretum collinum Fresen. (Combretaceae)

Enquha (Gumuz; M) Combretum hartmannianum Schweinf. (Combretaceae)

Enquha (Gumuz; M) Combretum molle R. Br. ex G. Don (Combretaceae)

Enta (Gumuz) Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro (Poaceae)

Ephegaha (Gumuz; M) Hibiscus corymbosus A. Rich. (Malvaceae)

Ephtseya (Gumuz; M) Combretum collinum Fresen. (Combretaceae)

25
Appendix I. Continued…

Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)

Ephuwa (Gumuz; D,G,M) Sterculia africana (Lour.) Fiori (Sterculiaceae)

Eqephaqiwa (Gumuz; D,M) Triumfetta annua L. (Tiliaceae)

Eskophinja (Gumuz; M) Acacia seyal Del. (Fabaceae)

Etissayaqua (Gumuz) Pennisetum thunbergii Kunth (Poaceae)

Etsebulandi (Berta; B) Clerodendrum alatum Güerke (Verbenaceae)

Ewuya (M) Entada africana Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae)
Eyampisah (Gumuz; M) Rumex abyssinicus Jacq. (Polygonaceae)
Eyguyeguya (D) Entada africana Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae)

Ezerticha (Gumuz; D,M) Corchorus olitorius L. (Tiliaceae)**

Ezeshiga (Gumuz; K) Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Rhamnacae)

Ferenji Bilza (Gumuz; G) Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae)*
Ferentseon (Berta; H) Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) O. Ktze. (Taccaceae)
Feeferentseon (Berta; S) Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) O. Ktze. (Taccaceae)
Fesh (Berta; B,H,S) Momordica foetida Schum. (Cucurbitaceae)
Feya (Gumuz; D,M) Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae)

Fidhenzsia (Gumuz; K) Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae)*

Fikahanshza (Gumuz; M) Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae)*

Firzsha (Gumuz; D) Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae)*

Fitiya (Gumuz; K) Clematis hirsuta Perr. & Guill. (Ranunculaceae)
Fodog (Berta) Dombeya torrida (J. F. Gmel.) P. Bamps (Sterculiaceae)
Funishza (Gumuz; G) Capsicum frutescens L. (Solanaceae)*

Fuqa (Gumuz; D,G,M) Ficus sycomorus L (Moraceae)

Gagojia (Gumuz; K) Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae)*
Gagu (Berta) Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro (Poaceae)
Gaguwa (Gumuz; G) Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae)*
Gasha (Berta; B,H,S) Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter (Poaceae)*
Gaze (Berta; S) Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman (Musaceae)**
Gebeba (Gumuz) Gossypium arboreum L. (Malvaceae)*
Gebugur (Berta) Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae)

Gediya (Gumuz) Grewia mollis A.Juss. (Tiliaceae)

26
Appendix I. Continued…

Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)

Gendher (Berta) Albizia malacophylla (A. Rich.) Walp. (Fabaceae)
Gesebe Sukar (Berta; S) Saccharum officinarum L. (Poaceae)*

Gideya (Gumuz; D,G,M) Grewia velutina (Forssk.) Vahl (Tiliaceae)

Gilu (Berta; H,S) Cissus populnea Guill. & Perr. (Vitaceae)
Gira (Gumuz; D) Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fabaceae)*
Gisa (Gumuz; G) Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (Poaceae)*
Gisinaba (Gumuz; G) Zea mays L. (Poaceae)*
Gisiraba (Gumuz; M) Zea mays L. (Poaceae)*

Gizimpha (Gumuz; D,M) Andropogon schirensis Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Poaceae)

Giziqua Eimpuchichima Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae)*
(Gumuz; K)
Giziqua Hoha (Gumuz; M) Senna obtusifolia (L.) Irwin & Barneby (Fabaceae)
Giziqua Kifa (Gumuz; D) Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae)*
Giziqua Mehichima (Gumuz; Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass (Asteraceae)*
K)
Gnera Woni (Berta) Cymbopogon caesius (Hook. & Arn.) Stapf. (Poaceae)
Gnera Mekosh (Berta; B,H) Pennisetum thunbergii Kunth (Poaceae)
Goha (Gumuz; D,G,M) Phoenix reclinata Jacq. (Arecaceae)
Gohigmenza (Gumuz; M) Vitex doniana Sweet. (Verbenaceae)

Gokhen (Gumuz; D,M) Hyphaene thebaica (L.) Mart. (Arecaceae)

Golgola (Gumuz; D,G,M) Boswellia papyrifera (Del.) Hochst. (Burseraceae)

Golgolofale (Berta; H,K,S) Commiphora pedunculata (Kotschy & Peyr.) Engl.
(Burseraceae)
Gora (Berta; H,S) Hyphaene thebaica (L.) Mart. (Arecaceae)

Gushel (Berta) Combretum collinum Fresen. (Combretaceae)

Gzimisse (Gumuz; D,M) Pennisetum schweinfurthii Pilg. (Poaceae)

Gziquwa Raba (Gumuz; M) Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae)*

Hadhigni (Berta; S) Crossopteryx febrifuga (Afzel. ex G. Don) Benth. (Rubiaceae)

Hafa (Gumuz; K) Combretum collinum Fresen. (Combretaceae)

Hafa (Gumuz; K) Combretum molle R. Br. ex G. Don (Combretaceae)

Halale (Berta; B,H,S) Clerodendrum cordifolium (Hochst.) A. Rich. (Verbenaceae)
Haphani (Berta) Gossypium arboreum L. (Malvaceae)*

27
Appendix I. Continued…

Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)

Harangafinasignee (Berta; Triumfetta annua L. (Tiliaceae)
B,H)
Hargjelo (Berta; B,H,K) Bridelia scleroneura Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae)
Hattab (Berta; B,H,S) Grewia flavescens Juss. (Tiliaceae)
Hazra Mili (Berta; K) Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass (Asteraceae)*
Heeneshemish (Berta; S) Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae)*

Heephuya (Gumuz; K) Sterculia africana (Lour.) Fiori (Sterculiaceae)

Heeraba (Gumuz; D) Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. (Solanaceae)*
Heesha Mili (Berta; B,H,S) Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass (Asteraceae)*
Heeshansaaro (Berta; B,H) Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae)*
Heshe Fudi (Berta) Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae)*
Hesiniya (Gumuz; G) Hyparrhenia filipendula (Hochst.) Stapf. (Poaceae)
Heya (Gumuz; G,K) Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae)

Hiji Seteena (Gumuz; K) Clerodendrum alatum Güerke (Verbenaceae)

Hinush (Berta; S) Cadaba farinosa Forssk. (Capparidaceae)

Hoqosha (Gumuz; G) Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae)*
Hornotse (Berta) Grewia mollis A.Juss. (Tiliaceae)

Hornotse Gelu (Berta) Grewia velutina (Forssk.) Vahl (Tiliaceae)

Ibeshanta (Gumuz; M) Commelina imberbis Ehrenb. ex Hassk. (Commelinacae)

Iwe (Gumuz) Cissus populnea Guill. & Perr. (Vitaceae)

Iyang (Berta) Carissa spinarum L. (Apocynaceae)
Janjibil (Gumuz) Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae)*
Jigawuha (Gumuz; K) Cucumis pustulatus Naud ex Hook.f. (Cucurbitaceae)

Jiggnewiya (Gumuz; G,M) Clerodendrum alatum Güerke (Verbenaceae)

Jipiwa (Gumuz; G) Combretum hartmannianum Schweinf. (Combretaceae)

Kafee (Berta; H) Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman (Musaceae)**

Kakime (Gumuz; D,G,M) Justicia ladanoides Lam. (Acanthaceae)

Kaze (Berta; B) Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman (Musaceae)**
Kebanit (Berta) Capsicum frutescens L. (Solanaceae)*
Kerkedee (Berta) Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae)*
Kibuwa (Gumuz; M) Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. (Cucurbitaceae)*

28
Appendix I. Continued…

Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)

Kifa (Gumuz; D) Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst (Poaceae)
Kima (Gumuz; D,M,K) Portulaca sp. (Portulacaceae)*

Kompha (Gumuz) Xanthosoma sagittifolium ( L. ) Schott (Araceae)*

Kompha (Gumuz) Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. (Araceae)*
Kota (Gumuz) Gardenia ternifolia Schum. & Thonn. (Rubiaceae)
Kuancha (Gumuz; D,K,M) Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (Poaceae)*

Laliqa (Gumuz; G) Corchorus olitorius L. (Tiliaceae)**

Lefura (Gumuz) Arachis hypogaea L. (Fabaceae)*
Lelentsewa (Berta; B) Aframomum alboviolaceum (Ridl.) K. Schum. (Zingiberaceae)
Lemuna (Gumuz) Citrus aurantifolia Swingle (Rutaceae)*
Lifa (Berta, Gumuz; G) Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. J. Roem. (Cucurbitaceae)*
Machanchiga (Gumuz; G,K) Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. (Cucurbitaceae)*

Mamusa (Gumuz; G) Cymbopogon caesius (Hook. & Arn.) Stapf. (Poaceae)

Manchiga (Gumuz; D) Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. (Cucurbitaceae)*
Mangal Hindi (Berta) Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae)*
Mangal Mesri (Berta) Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae)*
Mangu (Berta) Ampelocissus schimperiana (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Planch.
(Vitaceae)
Mecha (Gumuz; G,M) Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.) Milne-Redh. (Fabaceae)

Meela (Gumuz; G) Acacia seyal Del. (Fabaceae)

Megel (Berta) Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.) Milne-Redh. (Fabaceae)
Mejira (Gumuz; G,M) Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fabaceae)*
Mejiru Gneero (Berta) Dioscorea bulbifera L. (Dioscoreaceae)**
Mejiru Tayo (Berta) Dioscorea bulbifera L. (Dioscoreaceae)**
Mekhima Giziqua (Gumuz; Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass (Asteraceae)*
D)
Mela (Berta) Tamarindus indica L. (Fabaceae)
Meme (Berta; B,H,S) Cissus cornifolia (Bak.) Planch. (Vitaceae)
Menga (Berta) Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae)*

Menzimiyo (Berta; S) Feretia apodanthera Del. (Rubiaceae)

Metiya (Gumuz; K) Phoenix reclinata Jacq. (Arecaceae)

Metseeya (G,K) Tristemma mauritianum J.F. Gmel. (Melastomataceae)

29
Appendix I. Continued…

Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)

Mim (Berta) Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae)*
Miwa (Gumuz; K) Pterocarpus lucens Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae)

Moro (B,S) Asparagus flagellaris (Kunth) Baker (Asparagaceae)

Morqoqo (Berta) Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Rhamnacae)

Murqe (Berta) Diospyros mespiliformis A. DC. (Ebenaceae)

Muza (Gumuz) Musa x paradisiaca L. (Musaceae)*
Neyisha (Berta) Ficus sycomorus L (Moraceae)

Obdaja (Gumuz; D,M) Tragia doryodes M. Gilbert (Euphorbiaceae)

Odanjuwa (Gumuz; M) Stereospermum kunthianum Cham. (Bignoniaceae)
Offee (Berta) Lablab purpureus (L.) Sw. (Fabaceae)*
Ola (Gumuz; K) Aframomum alboviolaceum (Ridl.) K. Schum. (Zingiberaceae)
Opa (Gumuz) Lablab purpureus (L.) Sw. (Fabaceae)*
Papaya (Gumuz) Carica papaya L. (Caricacae)*
Patuwa (Gumuz; D,K,M) Cucurbita pepo L. (Cucurbitaceae)*

Pepe (Gumuz; D,M) Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R. Br. (Lamiaceae)

Phiriwa (Gumuz; D) Capsicum frutescens L. (Solanaceae)*

Pille (Gumuz; D,M) Pennisetum unisetum (Nees) Benth. (Poaceae)

Piwe (Gumuz; G,K,M) Crossopteryx febrifuga (Afzel. ex G. Don) Benth. (Rubiaceae)

Qaha (Berta) Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. (Balanitaceae)

Qashi (S) Acacia seyal Del. (Fabaceae)
Qashi Fudi (B,K) Acacia seyal Del. (Fabaceae)
Qedeber (B,H) Protea gaguedi J. F. Gmel. (Proteaceae)
Qenqetse (Berta) Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. (Malvaceae)*

Qenqetse Melejida (Berta) Abelmoschus ficulneus (L.) Wight & Arn. (Malvaceae)**
Qeqelo (Berta; B,H,S) Costus spectabilis (Fenzl) K. Schum. (Zingiberaceae)

Qey (Berta) Anogeissus leiocarpa (A. DC.) Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae)
Qeyeda Gneero (Berta) Dioscorea praehensilis Benth. (Dioscoreaceae)
Qokora (Gumuz; K) Vitex doniana Sweet. (Verbenaceae)

Qombo (Berta) Sterculia africana (Lour.) Fiori (Sterculiaceae)

Qosha (Gumuz; D,K,M) Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae)**

30
Appendix I. Continued…

Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)

Qoshish Sudana (Gumuz; Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae)*
D,K)
Qoshish Turka (Gumuz; M) Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae)*

Qota (Gumuz; D,G,M) Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. (Balanitaceae)

Qota (Gumuz; M) Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (Rhamnacae)

Quatsirqa (Gumuz; D,G,M) Acacia hecatophylla Steud. ex A. Rich. (Fabaceae)

Qudu (Berta) Acacia hecatophylla Steud. ex A. Rich. (Fabaceae)

Quwa (Berta) Lannea fruticosa (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae)

Quwa hurhodu (Berta) Lannea welwitschii (Hiern) Engl. (Anacardiaceae)
Qeyeda Tayo (Berta) Dioscorea alata L. (Dioscoreaceae)*
Reba (Berta; B,H,S) Pavetta gardeniifolia A. Rich. (Rubiaceae)

Sambila (Gumuz; D,M) Lepidium sativum L. (Brassicaceae)*

Sanemerta (Berta; S) Stereospermum kunthianum Cham. (Bignoniaceae)
Sasiqida (Gumuz; G) Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst (Poaceae)
Shala (Gumuz; D,M) Anethum graveolens L. (Apiaceae)*
Shanduka (Gumuz; D) Terminalia laxiflora Engl. & Diels (Combretaceae)
Shanduka (Gumuz; D) Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae)

Shangur (Berta) Dalbergia melanoxylon Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae)

Shaqadona (B,H,S) Crassocephalum rubens (Jacq.) S. Moore. (Asteraceae)
Shasha (Berta) Brassica carinata A. Br. (Brassicaceae)*
Shawa (Gumuz) Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. subsp macrocarpa
(Myrtaceae)
Sheegee (Berta; H) Saccharum officinarum L. (Poaceae)*

Shenafich (Gumuz; K,M) Brassica nigra (L.) Koch (Brassicaceae)*

Shenshemuq (Berta) Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae)**
Sheqee (Berta; B) Saccharum officinarum L. (Poaceae)*
Sheqet (Berta) Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. (Polygalaceae)
Shibee (Berta; B,H,S) Phoenix reclinata Jacq. (Arecaceae)
Shimbira (Gumuz; D,G,M) Cicer arietinum L. (Fabaceae)*
Shininchawa (Gumuz; K) Capsicum frutescens L. (Solanaceae)*
Shiqi (Berta; B,H) Kotschya africana Endl. (Fabaceae)

Shittetta (Gumuz; G) Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae)*

31
Appendix I. Continued…

Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)

Shuri (Berta) Hibiscus cannabinus L. (Malvaceae)**

Sigah (Gumuz) Anogeissus leiocarpa (A. DC.) Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae)

Sikwaha (Gumuz; D, M) Carissa spinarum L. (Apocynaceae)

Silbilo (Berta; S) Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (Poaceae)*
Silgalo (Berta; B,S) Rhus ruspolii Engl. (Anacardiaceae)
Sili (Berta; H) Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (Poaceae)*
Silmitso (Berta; H) Rhus ruspolii Engl. (Anacardiaceae)

Simah (Gumuz; G) Carissa spinarum L. (Apocynaceae)

Sipe (Gumuz; D,G,M) Acacia polyacantha Willd. (Fabaceae)

Siqida (Gumuz) Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. (Polygalaceae)

Sirah (Gumuz; D) Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (Rhamnacae)

Siyamuduqa (Gumuz; D,K) Hibiscus cannabinus L. (Malvaceae)**

Songah (Gumuz; G) Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (Rhamnacae)

Suwiyah (Gumuz; K) Carissa spinarum L. (Apocynaceae)

Tanga (Gumuz; M) Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst (Poaceae)
Tanqa (Gumuz) Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. (Poaceae)*

Tari (Berta; S) Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn. (Fabaceae)

Teja (Gumuz; D) Vitex doniana Sweet. (Verbenaceae)
Tekihinenuwa (Gumuz; Amaranthus spinosus L. (Amaranthaceae)
D,M)
Tiba (Gumuz; D,M) Brassica carinata A. Br. (Brassicaceae)*
Timbaq (Berta) Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae)*
Timbaqa (Gumuz) Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae)*
Tinkosa (Gumuz) Coriandrum sativum L. (Apiaceae)*
Tirmenzuwa (Gumuz; D) Clematis hirsuta Perr. & Guill. (Ranunculaceae)
Tisha (Gumuz; D,K,M) Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell (Celastraceae)
Tisha (Gumuz; G) Hibiscus cannabinus L. (Malvaceae)**
Tisheza (Gumuz; G) Vitex doniana Sweet. (Verbenaceae)
Tiweega (Gumuz; M) Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae)*

Tiyoka (K) Albizia malacophylla (A. Rich.) Walp. (Fabaceae)

Tiyoka (K) Entada africana Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae)

32
Appendix I. Continued…

Local Name§ Botanical Name (Family)

Tongo (Gumuz; M) Breonadia salicina (Vahl) Heppehr & Wood (Rubiaceae)
Tsaba (Berta) Dalbergia boehmiiTaub. (Fabaceae)
Tsabi (K) Cucurbita pepo L. (Cucurbitaceae)*
Tseera (Berta) Ficus thonningii Blume (Moraceae)
Tseign (Berta; B,H,S) Tephrosia interrupta Hochst. & Steud. ex Engl. (Fabaceae)
Tseiya Fudi (Berta; H,K,S) Sapium ellipticum (Krauss) Pax (Euphorbiaceae)
Tsetsaqa (Gumuz; M) Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae)
Tsunta (Berta) Amaranthus hybridus L. (Amaranthaceae)
Tufa (Gumuz; D) Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae)*
Ufiwacha (Gumuz; D) Zea mays L. (Poaceae)*
Ugutsey (Berta; S) Flueggea virosa (Willd.) Voigt. (Euphorbiaceae)
Una (Gumuz) Dioscorea alata L. (Dioscoreaceae)*
Waga (Gumuz; K) Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.) Milne-Redh. (Fabaceae)
Wasqenda (Gumuz; D) Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae)
Weele (Gumuz) Flueggea virosa (Willd.) Voigt. (Euphorbiaceae)
Weqneniwa (Gumuz; G,M) Cucumis pustulatus Naud ex Hook.f. (Cucurbitaceae)
Wequsha (Gumuz; M) Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae)*
Werekiya (Gumuz; K) Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae)
Wobilza (Gumuz; M) Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass (Asteraceae)*
Wobiza (Gumuz; M) Clematis hirsuta Perr. & Guill. (Ranunculaceae)
Wofchacha (Gumuz; D,M) Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. J. Roem. (Cucurbitaceae)*
Wublanda (Gumuz; D,M) Celosia trigyna L. (Amaranthaceae)
Yecha (Gumuz; K) Ficus sycomorus L (Moraceae)
Yedinkuwa (Gumuz; G) Celosia trigyna L. (Amaranthaceae)
Yehoba (Gumuz; D,M) Hyparrhenia filipendula (Hochst.) Stapf. (Poaceae)
Yempedema (Gumuz; Costus spectabilis (Fenzl) K. Schum. (Zingiberaceae)
G,K,M)
Yempite (Gumuz; G,M) Lannea fruticosa (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae)
Yenegasha (Gumuz; D) Rumex abyssinicus Jacq. (Polygonaceae)
Yetsegeda (Gumuz; D) Ochna leucophloeos Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Ochnaceae)
Zazuqambiya (Gumuz; G) Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae)*
Zeshima (Gumuz; D,K,M) Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae)*
Zilbabenee (Berta; B) Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (Poaceae)*
Zilqilign (Berta; K) Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (Poaceae)*

§When local name is specific to certain district(s), the district name(s) was/were indicated in
parenthesis, where for:
Berta names: B = Bambasi, H = Homosha, K = Kumruk and S = Sherkole.
Gumuz names: D = Dibate, G = Guba, K = Kemashi and M = Mandura.
*Cultivated plants
**Plants found both under cultivation and in the wild stand

33